Energy Analyses of Thermoelectric Renewable Energy Sources

Jarman T. Jarman, Essam E. Khalil, Elsayed Khalaf

Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, KSA.

DOI: 10.4236/ojee.2013.24019                

Abstract

The recent energy crisis and environmental burden are becoming increasingly urgent and drawing enormous attention to solar-energy utilization. Direct solar thermal power generation technologies, such as, thermoelectric, thermionic, magneto hydrodynamic, and alkali-metal thermoelectric methods, are among the most attractive ways to provide electric energy from solar heat. Direct solar thermal power generation has been an attractive electricity generation technology using a concentrator to gather solar radiation on a heat collector and then directly converting heat to electricity through a thermal electric conversion element. Compared with the traditional indirect solar thermal power technology utilizing a steam-turbine generator, the direct conversion technology can realize the thermal to electricity conversion without the conventional intermediate mechanical conversion process. The power system is, thus, easy to extend, stable to operate, reliable, and silent, making the method especially suitable for some small-scale distributed energy supply areas. Also, at some occasions that have high requirements on system stability, long service life, and noiselessness demand, such as military and deep-space exploration areas, direct solar thermal power generation has very attractive merit in practice. At present, the realistic conversion efficiency of direct solar thermal power technology is still not very high, mainly due to material restriction and inconvenient design. However, from the energy conversion aspect, there is no conventional intermediate mechanical conversion process in direct thermal power conversion, which therefore guarantees the enormous potential of thermal power efficiency when compared with traditional indirect solar thermal power technology [1].

Keywords

Solar Energy; Two Stage Concentrator; Mathematical Modeling; Thermal Analysis; Thermoelectric Power Generation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	S. B. Riffat and X. L. Ma, “Thermoelectrics: A Review of resent and Potential Applications,” Applied Thermal En- gineering, Vol. 23, No. 8, 2003, pp. 913-935. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(03)00012-7
[2]	K. Soteris, “Solar Energy Engineering: Processes and Systems,” Elsevier Inc., Berlin, 2009.
[3]	X. F. Qiu, “Nano-Structured Materials for Energy Conversion Case,” Ph.D. Thesis, Western Reverse University, Cleveland, 2008.
[4]	D. E. Demirocak, “Thermodynamic and Economic Analysis of a Solar Thermal Powered Adsorption Cooling System,” MSc. Thesis in Mechanical Engineering Department, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 2008.
[5]	R. H. Hyde, “Growth and Characterization of Thermoelectric Ba8Ga16Ge30 Type-I Clathrate Thin-Films Deposited by Pulsed Dual-Laser Ablation,” Ph.D. Thesis, College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, 2011.
[6]	M. Kassas, “Thermodynamic Analysis of a Thermoelectric Device,” International Journal of Exergy, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2007, pp. 168-179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJEX.2007.012064
[7]	O. Yamashita, “Effect of Linear Temperature Dependence of Thermoelectric Properties on Energy Conversion Efficiency,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 49, No. 11, 2008, pp. 3163-3169. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2008.05.019
[8]	B. S. Yilbas and A. Z. Sahin, “Thermoelectric Device and Optimum External Load Parameter and Slenderness Ratio,” Energy, Vol. 35, No. 12, 2010, pp. 5380-5384. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2010.07.019
[9]	Y. Y. Hsiao, W. C. Chang and S. L. Chen, “A Mathematic Model of Thermoelectric Module with Applications on Waste Heat Recovery from Automobile Engine,” Energy, Vol. 35, No. 3, 2010, pp. 1447-1454. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2009.11.030
[10]	D. Champier, J. P. Bedecarrats, M. Rivaletto and F. Strub, “Thermoelectric Power Generation from Biomass Cook Stoves,” Energy, Vol. 35, No. 2, 2010, pp. 935-942. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2009.07.015
[11]	M. Kubo, M. Shinoda, T. Furuhata and K. Kitagawa, “Optimization of the Incision Size and Cold-End Temperature of a Thermoelectric Device,” Energy, Vol. 30, No. 11-12, 2005, pp. 2156-2170.
[12]	X. Gou, H. Xiao and S. Yang, “Modeling, Experimental Study and Optimization on Low-Temperature Waste Heat Thermoelectric Generator System,” Applied Energy, Vol. 87, No. 10, 2010, pp. 3131-3136. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.02.013
[13]	T. M. Tritt, H. Bottner and L. Chen, “Thermoelectrics: Direct Solar Thermal Energy Conversion,” MRS Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 4, 2008, pp. 366-368.
[14]	R. Amatya and R. J. Ram, “Solar Thermoelectric Generator for Micro powerapplications,” Journal of Electronic Materials, Vol. 39, No. 9, 2010, pp. 1735-1740. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11664-010-1190-8
[15]	M. Telkes, “Solar Thermoelectric Energy Generators,” Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 23, No. 6, 1954, pp. 765-777. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1721728
[16]	R. Rush, “Solar Flat Plate Thermoelectric Generator Research,” Tech. Doc. Rep. Air Force, AD 605931, 1964.
[17]	H. J. Goldsmid, J. E. Giutronich, and M. M. Kaila, “Solar Thermoelectric Generation Using Bismuth Telluride Alloys,” Solar Energy, Vol. 24, 5, 1980, pp. 435-440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(80)90311-4
[18]	C. L. Dent and M. H. Cobble, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Thermoelectric Energy Conversion, New York, 1982, pp. 75-78.
[19]	P. Li, L. Cai, P. Zhai, X. Tang, Q. Zhang and M. Niino, “Design of Concentration Solar Thermoelectric Generator,” Journal of Electronic Materials, Vol. 39, No. 9, 2010, pp. 1522-1530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11664-010-1279-0
[20]	J. Chen, “Thermodynamic Analysis of a Solar-Driven Thermoelectric Generator,” Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 79, No. 5, 1996, pp. 2717-2721. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.361143
[21]	D. M. Rowe, “Thermoelectrics, an Environmentally-Friendly Source of Electrical Power,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 16, No. 1-4, 1999, pp. 1251-1256. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-1481(98)00512-6
[22]	G. Chen, “Theoretical Efficiency of Solar Thermoelectric Energy Generators,” Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 109, No. 10, 2011, pp. 104908-104908-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3583182
[23]	B. Lenoir, A. Dauscher, P. Poinas, H. Scherrer, and L. Vikhor, “Electrical Performance of Skutterudites Solar Thermoelectric Generators,” Applied Thermal Engineering, 23, No. 11, 2003, pp. 1407-1415. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1359-4311(03)00065-6
[24]	Y. Deng and J. Liu, “Recent Advances in Direct Solar Thermal Power Generation,” Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Vol. 1, No. 5, 2009, Article ID: 052701. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3212675
[25]	S. A. Omer and D. G. Infield, “Design and Thermal Analysis of a Two Stage Solar Concentrator for Combined Heat and Thermoelectric Power Generation,” Energy Conversion & Management, Vol. 41, No. 7, 2000, pp. 737-756. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(99)00134-X
[26]	S. A. Omer and D. G. Infield, “Design Optimization of Thermoelectric Devices for Solar Power Generation,” Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, Vol. 53, No. 1-2, 1998, pp. 67-82. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0927-0248(98)00008-7
[27]	S. Maneewan, J. Hirunlabh, J. Khedari, B. Zeghmati and S. Teekasap, “Heat Gain Reduction by Means of Thermoelectric Roof Solar Collector,” Solar Energy, Vol. 78, No. 4, 2005, pp. 495-503. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2004.08.003
[28]	L. Chen, J. Li, F. Sun and C. Wu, “Performance Optimi- zation of a Two-Stage Semiconductor Thermoelectric-Generator,” Applied Energy, Vol. 82, No. 4, 2005, pp. 300-312. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2004.12.003
[29]	X. Xu, S.V. Dessel and A. Messacb, “Study of the Per- formance of Thermoelectric Modules for Use in Active Building Envelopes,” Building and Environment, Vol. 42, No. 3, 2007, pp. 1489-1502. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2005.12.021
[30]	K. D. Smith, “An Investigation into the Viability of Heat Sources for Thermoelectric Power Generation Systems,” MSc. Thesis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, 2009.
[31]	C. Lertsatitthanakorn, N. Khasee, S. Atthajariyakul, S. Soponronnarit, A. Therdyothin and R. O. Suzuki, “Performance Analysis of a Double-Pass Thermoelectric Solar Air Collector,” Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, Vol. 92, No. 9, 2008, pp. 1105-1109. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2008.03.018
[32]	H. Fan, R. Singh and A. Akbarzadeh, “Electric Power Generation from Thermoelectric Cells Using a Solar Dish Concentrator,” Journal of Electronic Materials, Vol. 40, No. 5, 2011, pp. 1311-1320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11664-011-1625-x
[33]	W. G. J. H. M. Van Sark, “Feasibility of Photovoltaic— Thermoelectric Hybrid Modules,” Applied Energy, Vol. 88, No. 8, 2011, pp. 2785-2790. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.02.008
[34]	A. Z. Sahin, B. S. Yilbas, S. Z. Shuja and O. Momin, “Investigation into Topping Cycle: Thermal Efficiency with and without Presenceof Thermoelectric Generator,” Energy, Vol. 36, No. 7, 2011, pp. 4048-4054. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2011.04.044
[35]	M. Chen, L. A. Rosendahl and T. Condra, “A Three- Dimensional Numerical Model of Thermoelectric Generators in FluidPower Systems,” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 54, No. 1-3, 2011, pp. 345- 355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2010.08.024
[36]	W. He, Y. Su , Y. Q. Wang, S. B. Riffat and J. Ji, “A Study on Incorporation of Thermoelectric Modules with Evacuated-Tubeheat-Pipe Solar Collectors,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2012, pp. 142-149.
[37]	N. Wojtas, E. Schwytera, W. Glatzb, S. Kühnea, W. Escherc and C. Hierolda, “Power Enhancement of Micro Thermoelectric Generators by Micro Fluidic Heat Transfer Packaging,” Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 188, 2012, pp. 389-395.
[38]	J. A. Micallef, US Patent No. US2008053514-A1, 2008.
[39]	R. D. Hunt, Patent No. WO2004004016-A1, 2004.
[40]	D. H. Hecht, US Patent No. US2007289622-A1, 2007.
[41]	P. Tomes, M. Trottmann, C. Suter, M. Aguirre, A. Steinfeld, P. Haueter and A. Weidenkaff, “Thermoelectric Oxide Modules (TOMs) for the Direct Conversion of Simulated Solar Radiation into Electrical Energy,” Materials, Vol. 3, No. 4, 2010, pp. 2801-2814. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma3042801
[42]	T. M. Tritt and M. A. Subramanian, “Thermoelectric Materials, Phenomena, and Applications: A Bird’s Eye View,” MRS Bulletin, Vol. 31, No. 3, 2006, pp. 188-198. http://dx.doi.org/10.1557/mrs2006.44
[43]	S. Sano, H. Mizukami and H. Kaibe, “Development of High-Efficiency Thermoelectric Power Generation System,” Komatsu Technical Report, Vol. 49, No. 152, 2003, pp. 1-7.
[44]	Q. Yao, L. Chen, W. Zhang, S. Liufu and X. Chen, “Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes/Polyaniline Hybrid Nanocomposites,” ACS Nano, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2010, pp. 2445-2451. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nn1002562
[45]	P. Ahadi, N. Haeri and A. Nazari, “The Use of Nanotechnology In Solar Systems,” Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, Vol. 5, No. 11, 2011, pp. 1450- 1456.
[46]	R. Venkatasubramanian, C. Watkins, D. Stokes, J. Posthill and C. Caylor, “Energy Harvesting for Electronics with Thermoelectric Devices Using Nanoscale Materials,” IEEE International on Electron Devices Meeting, Washington DC, 10-12 December 2007, pp. 367-370.
[47]	A. I. Hochbaum and P. Yang, “Semiconductor Nanowires for Energy Conversion,” Chemical Reviews, Vol. 110, No. 1, 2010, pp. 527-546. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/cr900075v